Aft vs Stern

[Spender Nui]

Many posts on various boards are about AFT cabins. Sometimes (I think usually) they actually mean STERN cabins. I only mention this because it seems some folks are confused or think they are the same and might think they are booking something that they're not.

I may post this on other boards too.

AFT is towards the REAR of the ship.

STERN IS the REAR of the ship.

[rocknrobin]

Well...you're right (had to look it up myself). Stern does mean at the back of the vessel; however, if I recall from when we were onboard - aren't the hallways marked with arrows Stern (toward the front of the ship) and aft (toward the back)? I don't know, maybe I'm confused. Anyhow, from now on I'll refer to the front of the ship (towards the bow) as forward. I'll just leave the word stern out of the equation. Oye...think it's time for a drink (coffee...and non of that decaf crap either!).

[jtl513]

aren't the hallways marked with arrows Stern (toward the front of the ship) and ... I don't know, maybe I'm confused. You most certainly are! :D

[mamaofami]

I think when most of us say we have an aft cabin, we're really referring to the ones at the stern. Or, at least that's how I understand it.

[NancyIL]

Well...you're right (had to look it up myself). Stern does mean at the back of the vessel; however, if I recall from when we were onboard - aren't the hallways marked with arrows Stern (toward the front of the ship) and aft (toward the back)?

The signs on the ships I've been on point to the forward and aft cabins. The stern is the opposite direction of the forward cabins - which are closer to the bow.

[RetiredMustang]

Many posts on various boards are about AFT cabins. Sometimes (I think usually) they actually mean STERN cabins. I only mention this because it seems some folks are confused or think they are the same and might think they are booking something that they're not.

I may post this on other boards too.

AFT is towards the REAR of the ship.

STERN IS the REAR of the ship.


Ah, yes ... but which is abaft the fo'csle, and where is the fantail? Or the stern sheets? And where, or what, is the jack? :D

Nautical terms are ancient and tradition-laden, and trip up many, but are fun to learn, I think.

Dave


Answers - the stern is toward the aft (ab-aft) of the fo'csle (fore-castle), the decks rising above the main deck at the fore end of the ship. The fantail is the open, rounded deck, shaped somewhat like a fan on many ships, at the stern, or tail end. The stern sheets are/were the aft-most sails (sheets) on the stern mast; also a sailor's slang for a part of a human's anatomy, as in "that guy needs a quick kick in the stern sheets." The jack is a national flag, not to be confused with the ensign (not a rank in this case), that is flown from the foremost staff on a ship, or the "jackstaff". The Union Jack is the top left quadrant of the Royal Navy ensign (which flies from the main mast or stern staff, depending on whether the ship is moored or underway). More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Ensign (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Ensign). Most traditions of the US Navy come from the Royal Navy. The US jack is the blue field with 50 white stars, although the USN has since 1975 flown the "Don't Tread On Me" jack from the oldest commissioned ship. More, probably, than you want to know at http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq122-1.htm (http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq122-1.htm) and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Navy_Jack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Navy_Jack)

[jtl513]

... where, or what, is the jack? :D
And most importantly: what is the poop deck used for? :D

[iflyrc5]

Actually "sheets" are not the sails - Sheets are the rope(s) that pull the sail in or let it out with respect to the centerline of the ship. The halyard is the rope that raised the sails.:D :D

[Palms2Pines2Sea]

I think that "aft cabin" is perfectly acceptable if one means a cabin reasonably in the vicinity of the stern, and as the OP states, "towards the rear of the ship".

iflyrc5, old salts like myself will take issue with you referring to sheets as "ropes". We're inclined to say that the only rope on a sailing vessel is what's known as a "bolt rope". With all due respect, sheets and halyards should be classified as "lines".

[George W. Bush]

And most importantly: what is the poop deck used for? :D

That's where they quarantine the passengers with Norovirus. Right?

[rocknrobin]

Well I'm certainly happy that you've all cleared this up for me... must be true: don't know my a** from my elbow! This board is not only informative and entertaining, it's educational. On that note...I'm going to bed...good night all....

[Padraic]

'Forward' and 'Aft' are directions. 'Bow' and 'Stern' are locations.

Padraic

[Vampire Parrot]

Bow is what you are supposed to do when you meet the Captain.
Stern is the look he will give you if you don't.

[BruceMuzz]

Aft can be an adjective or an adverb.

"I am going Aft" (towards the back part of the ship)
or
"I live in an Aft Cabin" (A cabin that is behind midships - but not necessarily at the Stern).

Stern is a noun. The back of the ship.
An Aft cabin does not need to be located at the Stern to be called Aft. But it can be at the Stern as well.

[NoNoNanette]

OK-

On my upcoming cruise, my AFT cabin is located on the STERN of the Noordam. (All the way back, balcony looking at the wake).

I think I got it. ;)

[Boytjie]

Aft can be an adjective or an adverb.

"I am going Aft" (towards the back part of the ship)
or
"I live in an Aft Cabin" (A cabin that is behind midships - but not necessarily at the Stern).

Stern is a noun. The back of the ship.
An Aft cabin does not need to be located at the Stern to be called Aft. But it can be at the Stern as well.

So none of this talk about aft lifts for the Vista ships anymore!

[kaphkoe]

OK-

On my upcoming cruise, my AFT cabin is located on the STERN of the Noordam. (All the way back, balcony looking at the wake).

I think I got it. ;)


Nanette,
so all you need is to find the right elevator that brings you to the STERN of the Noordam.;)

[NoNoNanette]

Nanette,
so all you need is to find the right elevator that brings you to the STERN of the Noordam.;)

Which would be a subject for an entirely new thread, my Austrian friend! ;)

[Stock Cop]

'Forward' and 'Aft' are directions. 'Bow' and 'Stern' are locations.

Padraic
I agree. Fwd & Aft are directions.
You can walk forward to the bow or walk aft to the stern.

I too agree about the lines...we never used the term rope
except for cattle & waitresses. LOL

Rich :cool: :cool: